Floral rack



April 7, 1931; J G. TURNER 1,799,540

FLORAL RACK Filed NOV. 21 1929 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 FATE TOFFEE:

JOHN- G. TURNER, or rnnsto, coLonAno FLORAL RACK Ap plication filed November 21, 1929. Serial No. 408,873.

This invention relates to an improved floral rack or stand designed particularly for use "byflorists, undertakers and funeral directorsin supporting floral piecesin funeral; parlors. and susceptible of general commercial use for supporting and displaying flowers inchurches, auditoriums, homes, and the like. i

: An object is to providea simple andeco- 1 nomical; device whichis inconspicuous and capable of being readily handled andcarried in compact form so that it will not present the, bulky, andtclumsy. appearances of devices of this general type withiwhich I am familiar. The further object is to provide a flower rack for the purpose stated so constructed that it may be folded in compact form with thefloral piece attached theretoso. that it may be carried about in readiness to be placed in display position. T

The floral display rack may be used for displaying wreaths, sprays, and other arts andwares of the floral industry. The advantages, of the unique. features are twofold, first,,the hinged floral'supportingframe provides-a novelgdisplay panel susceptible of assuming-diversified angular positions thus permitting the flowers to be arranged in a vertical, horizontal or intermediate angular position.- Second, the folding'properties of the structure permit it to be folded flat for shipping purposes without moving the flowers therefrom. The latter advantage permits the florist to arrange the wreath and spray in an artistic manner and to insure the fact that the Wreath or spray to be displayed in the samemanner as originally conceived by the artist. v

Inthe drawing: 7 r

The single figure represents a perspective view of the complete rack set up for use.

Referring now to the drawing byfreference numerals, it will be seen that theprincipal support is in the nature of a tripod. It

comprises a substantially U-shaped section 1 including spaced parallel outwardly and downwardly diverging legs 2 and 3 and a crown portion 4 having a central depending bend 5. The crown portion functions as an axle or shaft for the floral supporting frame generally designated by the reference :character6.

The third leg 7 is in the nature. ofa prop and has an eye 8 bent at its upper end to provide a: pivotal connection withthe bend or portion 5.

,Between thelegs 2 and'3 is a cross brace '9having a flattened U shaped keeper. 10. I next call attention to aV-shaped stay element'generally designatedby the numeral 11 having its arm portion formed with eyes embracing the end portions ofthecross brace 9 and having its apex portion bent toform a guide and retention loopas at 12 which embraces vthe adjustable propor leg i The aforesaid frame takes .its form from a-single length of wire bent upon itself-into general rectangular form as shown. The intermediate portionof :the sides thereof are 7 formed with eyes as at 13, wliichembrace the part 4 and provide a pivotal or hinge mounting for'the frame, allowing it tobe swung to various adjusted positions withrespect'to the tripod. The lower end bar 14 has a cen- I tralized, connectlng portion 15 bent there from to afforda' convenient connection for the retaining arm 16. The 'arm' has lt-s upper end formed with an eye-which embraces this part 15 and the lower end portion of arm is flattened: and provided. with longitudinally spaced notches 17 to be selectively engaged with the keeper 10 in an obvious'manner to change or regulate the angularity of the frame. i

The free end portions of the wire forming the frame are bent" into overlapping relationship as at 18 where they are coiled around as at 19 and 20 toform retaining spurs or fingers as at 21 and 22 respectively. The spurs are intended tobeimbedded in the floral piece in an. obvious manner to hold it securely injposition on the frame and against displacement. i

The following advantages accompany a structure of this type. I

1.. The adjustable position of the hinged frame makes itposs'ible for one to adjust the display to theproper angleto more effective- -lyshow the wreath or spray attached.

1" '2. The construction of the easel is such that the entire display is elevated from the floor, mantle, table or wherever the same is placed, therefore it is shown to better effect.

3. The entire design may be shipped with the easel attached, as the easel folds perfectliy flat. The layman may thus set the entire isplay in the same position as the arrangement conceived by the artist. The simplicity of the invention makes it possible for any one not familiar with the floral trade to properly use and adjust it.

4. My invention was conceived with the idea of supporting only one floral piece at a time, while other racks and easels are so designed that they must be used for one large piece or many small pieces for undertaking parlors, etc.

5. Pots, pans and baskets may be securely held in the opening of the hinged frame and may be thus used by the florist for decorating clubs, churches, etc.

6. When the hinged frame is set in place inia horizontal position, it assumes a flat plane which may be used as a table. This is very handy to the floral trade, because the florist frequently is unable to find a suitable table to support his baskets, etc., while decorating.

From the foregoing description and drawing, it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a simple and economical structure which is compact and convenient,and susceptible of fulfilling requirements of a structure of this class in a highly satisfactory and eflicient manner. It is thought that by carefully considering the description in connection with the drawing, the reader will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention and the features and advantages thereof.

Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details may be resorted to. in actual practice if desired without departing from the spirit of the attached claims.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, a foldable and adjustable supporting tripod comprising av U-shaped member including spaced legs, a horizontal crosspiece connected to the intermediate portions of said legs, a substantially V-shaped stay device having its arm portions pivotally connected with said crosspiece,'a prop pivotally connected at its upper end to the crown portion of said U- shaped member, the apex portion of said V-shaped stay being constructed for slidable engagement with said prop, and a floral piece supporting frame hingedly mounted on the crown portion of said U-shaped member.

2. In a structure of the class described, a foldable and adjustable supporting tripod comprising a U-shaped member including spaced legs, a crosspiece connected to the intermediate portions of said legs, a substantially V-shaped stay device having its arm portions pivotally connected with said cross piece, a prop pivotally connected at its upper end to the crown portion of said U-shaped member, the apex portion of said V-shaped stay being construct-ed for slidable engagement With said prop, and a floral piece sup porting frame hingedly mounted on the crown portion of said U-shaped member, said crosspiece being formed intermediate its ends with a U-shaped keeper, a retaining arm pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower frame bar of said frame, said arm having its lower end flattened for slidable reception in said keeper, said flattened end portion being provided with longitudinally spaced notches for selective engagement with said keeper.

3. In a floral rack of the class described, a foldable and adjustable support, a substantially rectangular floral supporting frame hingedly mounted between its ends on the upper portion of said support, adjustable retaining means for said frame, said frame being provided at its top with spaced retaining spurs.

4. In a floral rack of the class described, a foldable and adjustable support, a substantially rectangular floral supporting frame hingedly mounted between its ends on the upper portion of said support, adjustable retaining means for said frame, said frame being provided at its top with spaced retaining spurs, said frame being formed from a single length of wire bent upon itself to provide said spurs and provide hinge eyes for hinged connection with said support.

5. In a floral rack of the class described, an adjustable tripod comprising a U-shaped member, a prop hingedly connected at its upper end to the crown portion of said U- shaped member, retaining and bracing means for said prop and the leg portions of said U-shaped member, said means including a keeper, a substantially rectangular frame formed from a single length of wire, the side portions thereof being formed with hinge eyes hingedly connected with the crown porspaced retaining notches for selective engagement with said keeper.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN G. TURNER. 

